Vehicle-axle.



PATENTBD JAN. 2, 1906.1

No. 308,844.l

0.. HUNZEl VEHICLE AXLE.

APPLIoATIoN FILED JULY 1a. 1905.

UNITED sTATns PATENT FIGB.

VEHICLE-AXLE..

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented J an. 2, 1906.

Application filed July 18, 1905. Serial No. 270.199.

To a/ZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, OTTO HUNZE, a citizen of the United States, residing at St. Louis, in the State of Missouri, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Vehicle- Axles, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part hereof.

My invention has relation to improvements in vehicle-axles; and it consists in the novel construction of axle more fully set forth in the speciiication and pointed out in claim.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is amiddle longitudinal section taken through the wheel-hub the axle spindle and sleeve thereon -being in elevation. Fig. 2 is an elevation of the device with hub portion of the wheel removed. Fig. 3 is a cross-section on line 3 3 of Fig. 2,

A and Fig. 4 is a cross-section on line 4 4 of Fig. 2.

The object of my invention is to provide a vehicle-axle with a removable spindle section or sleeve, which when worn may be replaced by a new sleeve, it being possible in this way to prolong the life of the axle indefinitely.

A further object is to construct the axle in a manner so as to facilitate the assembling or disassembling of the parts, one which will be simple, and one possessing further and other advantages better apparent from a detailed iescription of the invention, which is as folows:

Referring to the drawings, A represents the terminal of a conventional wagon-axle, and S the spindle portion thereof. In the ordinary axle the boxing or bushing B of the hub II of the wheel is mounted directly on the spindle, and when the latter is worn the entire axle must be discarded and a new axle substituted. By my improvement the life of the axle may be indefinitely prolonged. Formed at the base of the spindle are lobes or lugs 1 1, which are received in corresponding sockets formed in the adjacent face of the enlarged base 2 of a sleeve 3, fitting loosely over the spindle, the engagement between the lobes 1 1 and the socket of the base 2 locking the sleeve against rotation on the spindle S. The sleeve is retained on the spindle by a key K, passed through registering grooves and openings formed, respectively, in the sleeve-wall and in the spindle, the head of the key coming flush with the peripheral surface of the sleeve when once fully inserted. The boxing or bushing B is passed over the sleeve 3, the inner end of the boxing bearing against the shoulder 4, formed between the base 2 and the body of the sleeve, the boxing (and wheel of which it forms a part) freely rotating about the spindle between the shoulder 4 and the retaining-nut 5. The latter clears the adjacent end of the boxing by coming in contact with the shoulder 6, formed between the spindle-body and the screwthreaded end 7, with which the spindle is provided. As the sleeve becomes worn it can at any time be removed and a new sleeve substituted therefor. While I have shown two lobes 1 1 for locking the parts 3 and S together, I may of course avail myself of any equivalent mechanical detail accomplishing the same result.

Having described my invention, what I claim is- A vehicle-axle having a terminal spindle, lobes or arms radiating therefrom at the base thereof, a sleeve passed loosely over the spindle, an enlarged base on the sleeve forming an annular shoulder with the peripheral surface of the sleeve, and having suitable sockets formed therein for the reception of the lobes of the spindle, a key for retaining the sleeve upon the spindle, and a retaining-nut at the outer end of the spindle, the boxing of the wheel-hub being rotatably mounted on the sleeve and coniined between the nut and the shoulder formed at the base of the sleeve, substantially as set forth.

In testimony whereof I my signature in presence of two witnesses.

OTTO HUNZE.

Witnesses z EMIL STAREK, Jos. A. MICHEL. 

